At times, boating in the lower Cape Fear River involves competition with ocean-going vessels, shallow water or the treacherous shoals that earned the Carolina coast the moniker "Graveyard of the Atlantic." In contrast, the upper Cape Fear, its northeast branch and the winding creeks of the coastal plain offer a genuine taste of the old Southeast to those with small boats, kayaks or canoes. Tannins leached from the cypress trees keep these waters the color of coffee. Many creeks are overhung by trees, moss and, in summer, the occasional snake. Early spring and late autumn are particularly good times to go, since there are fewer bugs. See our Fishing chapter for boat ramp locations.
Safety & Resources
Perhaps the most important thing about boating is preparation. File a float plan; it can be as official or informal as your circumstances require. The point is that you should tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return. You are required to have one life jacket for each person on your boat, and the Coast Guard is within its rights to stop you and see that you have proper equipment. Adults may use their own judgment about wearing a life jacket, but children (and pets) should wear one at all times. Life jackets may not be comfortable or glamorous, but they save lives.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary conducts free vessel safety checks. The exams are not required for boat registration. For information, call the Marine Safety Office at (910) 772-2200. You will be referred to the examining flotilla officer nearest you.
Various flotillas of the local Coast Guard Auxiliary offer Safe Boating Courses five times a year (autumn, winter, spring and twice in summer). Locations include the Wrightsville Beach Recreation Center (at Wrightsville Beach Park) and Cape Fear Community College in downtown Wilmington and the Hampstead campus. These courses are strongly recommended for everyone who operates a motor boat. The fee averages $35 and includes all materials. Also inquire about the America's Boating Class, available on CD/ROM, and the Basic Coastal Navigation course. For information call The Coast Guard at (910) 256-4224 or (910) 256-2615; for the greater Wilmington area Coast Guard Auxiliary, call Jim Belluche at (910) 458-9598.
The U.S. Coast Guard website, www.uscg.mil, has excellent information on boating along with links to the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Power Squadron. Local chapters of the nonprofit U.S. Power Squadrons (USPS), America's largest private boating association, also offer the USPS Boating Course on a regular basis in Wilmington, Southport and Shallotte. The course is free, but there is a fee to cover the cost of the manuals, materials and expenses. The cost varies depending on the squadron location; you need not be a USPS member to participate. For information on the USPS classes closest to you, call (888) FOR-USPS (367-8777).
Carry sufficient non-alcoholic liquids, not only for the humans aboard, but also for any pets you choose to take along. Carry an emergency kit that contains flares, a fire extinguisher, first-aid supplies and various repair items. Make sure that the vessel is well-maintained with the following in good working order: safety equipment, protected and sealed electrical systems, and the inboard or outboard propulsion system. If you're going to be out after dark, turn on your running lights. The ICW is also a highway for commerce, and you want to be sure that barges know you're out there. Understand how to use your ship-to-shore radio and practice in advance of an emergency.
To report emergencies to the U.S. Coast Guard, all initial radio calls should be made on channel 16/158.8 MHz. The Wrightsville Beach Coast Guard Station's emergency telephone number is (910) 256-3469. Local boating and watersports enthusiasts also report that cellular phone reception is remarkably clear near the shoreline.
Boats under sail always have the right of way over power craft. If power is your chosen method of boating, be aware of the instability your wake can create for sailboats or small boats. If you find yourself in the shipping lanes, give big ships a wide berth. Yielding the right-of-way is often necessary because big ships require at least a mile to stop.
Emergencies happen on the water. The Coast Guard is particular about what constitutes an emergency, and it will not immediately come to your rescue in all situations. Generally, only life-threatening or environment-threatening situations will get its attention. Running aground in the waterway is rarely considered an emergency. A sailboat with a fixed keel is virtually guaranteed to go aground at some point, and it isn't always possible to get loose without a sturdy towboat. If you've got a predicament, SeaTow, the largest professional marine assistance provider in the world, will respond 24 hours a day, every day of the year. To receive unlimited free towing plus other benefits, including jump starts, fuel drops, prop disentanglements and navigational assistance, become a member for an annual fee. For information, call SeaTow at (910) 452-3798.
The area's waters are full of shoals, so keep an eye on your depth-sounder. If you don't have one and charts suggest shallow waters, steer clear of questionable areas. The ICW is susceptible to shoaling near inlets, and you can't rely on charts for accuracy because changes occur frequently. The markers entering the Cape Fear River from the ocean were renumbered in 1997, so be alert to the fact that these changes may not appear on older NOAA charts. A very good source of boating information and courses is the BoatUS Foundation, (800) 336-2628. The North Carolina Coastal Boating Guide is another excellent resource, compiled by the N.C. Department of Transportation. To obtain a free copy, call (877) 368-4968 or log on to their website at www.ncdot.org/public/publications.
